Automatic control system for programming electrically operated theater equipment

ABSTRACT

An automatic control system for selectively programming electrically operated theater equipment, such as sound equipment, house lights, curtain movement controls, screen size controls, special effects, and a plurality of film projectors wherein the control system includes an electrical circuit for activating equipment to perform its respective function in response to a signal from a counter circuit. The counter circuit is operative to produce a signal at each of a plurality of spaced time increments and the equipment activating circuits have inhibit means for holding the counter at a selected time increment during operation of the selected equipment and the equipment activating circuits have inhibit cancel means built into motor start and picture changeover circuits to prevent inhibit or stopping on these functions. A film break circuit is electrically connected to each of the film projector activating circuits for signaling the respective projector to stop in the event of a film break and a cueing circuit is electrically connected to each of the film projectors and to the counter for restarting the counter in response to a cue signal.

United States Patent Schumann et al.

[54] AUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR PROGRAMMING ELECTRICALLY OPERATEDTHEATER EQUIPMENT [72] inventors: Robert J. Schumann, Leawood; Wayne A.

Priest, Kansas City, both of Kans.

[73] Assignee: Durwood, Inc., Kansas City, Mo.

[22] Filed: July 13, 1970 [21] App]. No.: 54,210

[ 1 May 16, 1972 Primary Examiner-Herman J. Hohauser Attorney-Fishburn,Gold and Litman [57] ABSTRACT An automatic control system forselectively programming electrically operated theater equipment, such assound equipment, house lights, curtain movement controls, screen sizecontrols, special efiects, and a plurality of film projectors whereinthe control system includes an electrical circuit for activatingequipment to perform its respective function in response to a signalfrom a counter circuit. The counter circuit is operative to produce asignal at each of a plurality of spaced time increments and theequipment activating circuits have inhibit means for holding the counterat a selected time increment during operation of the selected equipmentand the equipment activating circuits have inhibit cancel means builtinto motor start and picture changeover circuits to prevent inhibit orstopping on these functions. A film break circuit is electricallyconnected to each of the film projector activating circuits forsignaling the respective projector to stop in the event of a film breakand a cueing circuit is electrically connected to each of the filmprojectors and to the counter for restarting the counter in response toa cue signal,

7 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures s s t.- 1- 1- u U I u g 5 52 :o c & =0 --cg L Q.

,[,, CONTROL CABINET SOUND 't, CABINET Patented May 16, 1972 7Sheets-Sheet 2 i? m U U til, INVESTORS. RobnrT J. schumonmg Wayne rimgrmbwm ATTORNEYS Patented 16, 1972 3,663,826

.7 Sheets-Sheet 5' jaw 3M a W ATTORNEYS Patented May 16, 1972 3,663 826.7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Roberl J. schumanmg y/oyne A. Priesi l 4 ATTORNEYSAUTOMATIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR PROGRAMMING ELECTRICALLY OPERATED THEATEREQUIPMENT The present invention relates to controlling theater equipmentand more particularly to an automatic control system for programmingoperation of electrically operated theater equipment.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide anautomatic control system for programming operation of electricallyoperated theater equipment, such as starting and stopping filmprojectors, opening and closing curtains, dimming and raising houselights, switching between theater music and film sound, picture andsound changeover between respective film projectors, screen sizeadjustments, and the like all in response to cooperative operation ofequipment activating circuits and a counter circuit; to provide such anautomatic control system particularly adapted for programming multiplepresentations substantially simultaneously; to provide such an automaticcontrol system wherein film break sensing means are mounted on each filmprojector for stopping same in the event of a film break and each filmprojector has a cueing circuit for restarting the counter in response toa cue signal; and to provide such an automatic control system which issimple to trouble shoot, economical to manufacture, positive andreliable in operation, and particularly well adapted for the proposeduse.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and examplescertain embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 1 is a general arrangement diagram of an automatic control systemfor programming electrically operated theater equipment embodyingfeatures of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a wiring diagram of a counter circuit for the automaticcontrol system.

FIG. 3 is a wiring diagram of a matrix for programming the automaticcontrol system.

' FIG. 4 is a wiring diagram of projector control circuits.

FIG. 5 is a wiring diagram of picture and sound changeover circuits andfilms and tape sound switching.

FIG. 6 is a wiring diagram of curtain movement and house light controlcircuits.

FIG. 7 is a wiring diagram of screen size control circuits.

FIG. 8 is a wiring diagram of inhibit and cue circuits and inhibitinterlocks.

FIG. 9 is a wiring diagram of a reset circuit for the counter.

FIG. 10 is a wiring diagram of a special effects circuit.

FIG. 1 1 is an elevational view of a film break sensor.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the film break sensor.

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of a cue sensor for the cue circuits.

FIG. 14 is an end elevational view of the cue sensor.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The reference numeral 1 generally designates an automatic control systemfor selectively programming operation of electrically operated theaterequipment, such as sound equipment, house lights, curtain movementcontrols, screen size controls, special effects, and a plurality of filmprojectors. The automatic control system 1 includes an electricalcircuit for activating respective theater equipment in response to asignal from a counter circuit which is operative to produce a signal ateach of a plurality of uniformly spaced time increments, such as at onesecond intervals, and the equipment activating circuits each haveinhibit or counter holding means for holding the counter ata selectedtime increment during operation of I the selected equipment. Theequipment activating circuits have inhibit cancel means to preventstopping on critical equipment circuits, such as projector motor startand picture changeover, A film break circuit is electrically connectedto each of the film projector activating circuits for signaling therespective projector to stop in the event of a film break and a cueingcircuit is electrically connected to each of the film projectors and tothe counter for restarting the counter in response to a cue signal.

FIG. I illustrates an arrangement for a single theater having left andright projectors, 2 and 3 respectively, which are connected to asuitable power source by conductors 4 and 5 respectively. Rectifiers 6and 7 are electrically connected to the projectors 2 and 3 by conductors8 and 9 respectively. An inter-machine cable 10 is operatively connectedto the projectors 2 and 3 and has suitable electrical conductors (notshown) therein to carry signals for picture changeover and soundchangeover between the two projectors and between a respective projectorand theater sound, such as for theater music prior to and after apresentation and during intermission. The left and right projectors 2and 3 are each connected to a control cabinet 11 by cables 12 and 13respectively. The cables 12 and 13 each have suitable electricalconductors (not shown) therein for carrying signals to the respectiveprojector to effect operation of picture changeover, sound changeover,cueing circuits, projector motors, projector lamps, and the like. Asound cabinet 14 is electrically connected to the control cabinet 11 bya cable 15 having suitable electrical conductors (not shown) therein forcompleting sound circuits for the theater sound and the projector sound.

FIG. 2 illustrates a counter circuit 16 having a counter and meansassociated therewith for producing a signal at each of a plurality ofuniformly spaced time increments, such as at one second intervals. Adrive or counter motor 17 is electrically operated by current throughconductors 18 and 19 which are connected to a connector 20. Theconductor 19 is connected to an inhibit relay 21, and when the relay 21is relaxed, the circuit is completed to the counter drive motor 17. Inthe illustrated relay, one portion of the conductor 19, between thecounter motor 17 and the inhibit relay 21 is connected to a commoncontact 22 and the other portion of the conductor 19, between theconnector 20 and the inhibit relay 21, is connected to a normally closedcontact 23 with a switch arm engaging the contact 23.

The counter motor 17 is operative toy drive a cam (not shown) at aselected speed whereby a limit switch 24 is engaged once on eachrevolution of the cam, to intermittently complete a circuit to aplurality of stepper switches 25 for advancing each stepper switch 25successively through a plurality of contacts 26, each of which representone of the successive time intervals and are electrically connected tothe connector 20 by a respective conductor 27 for conveying a timesignal, as later described. In the illustrated circuit, the stepperswitches 25 are operated in pairs with the conductor 27 for each contact26 of each stepper switch 25 being connected to the conductor 27 for thecontact 26 representing the same time interval for the other stepperswitch of the pair.

Power is supplied to each of the stepper switches 25 when the limitswitch 24 is moved to a closed position and the circuit connecting eachof the stepper switches 25 passes through the inhibit relay 21 and areset relay 28. In the illustrated counter circuit 16, a conductor 29has one end connected to the connector 20 and the other end connected tothe switch arm of the limit switch 24 which is movable by the cam of thecounter motor 17 to move the switch arm from its normally open contactto its normally closed contact. A conductor 30 extends between thenormally closed contact of the limit switch 24 and a common contact 31in the inhibit relay 21 and a conductor 32 extends between a normallyclosed contact 33 and a suitably grounded power or stepper coil 34 tocomplete the circuit through the limit switch 24 and the inhibit relay21 when the inhibit relay 21 is relaxed.

It is desirable to substantially eliminate sparking during theintermittent movement of the switch arm of the limit switch 24,therefore, a spark suppressor loop 35 has opposite ends connected to theconductors 29 and 30 respectively adjacent the common contact and thenormally closed contact respectively of the limit switch 24 and the loop35 has suitable spark suppressing elements therein, such as capacitorsand resistors.

When the reset relay 28 is relaxed, a circuit is complete to each of thestepper switches 25 whereby, when the contacts 26 are successivelyengaged, a time signal is conveyed to the automatic control system 1 forselectively programming operation of theater equipment, as laterdescribed. A suitably grounded power conductor 36 is connected to anormally closed contact 37 in the reset relay 28 and a conductor 38extends between a common contact 39 and a brush or contact arm 40 ofeach of the stepper switches 25.

When a coil 41 of the reset relay 28 is energized or activated, theswitch arm at the common contact 39 is moved to engage its nonnally opencontact 42 to interrupt the stepper switch ground circuit to prevent theactuation of any equipment caused by movement of the respective brushesor contact arms 40 and energizing the coil 41 completes a circuit to thestepper coil 34 to move the stepper toward the home position or zerocount position. In the illustrated circuit, a conductor 43 extendsbetween the conductor 32 and a normally open contact 44 which is engagedby a switch arm connected to a common contact 45 of the reset relay 28.A conductor 46 extends between the common contact 45 and a normallyclosed contact 47 of an off-on" switch 48. A conductor 49 extendsbetween a common contact 50 of the off-on switch 48 and a common contact51 of an interruptor switch 52. A conductor 53 extends between theconductor 49 and a normally closed contact 54 of the interruptor switch52 and has suitable spark suppressing elements therein, such ascapacitors and resistors. A conductor 55 extends between the conductor29 and the conductor 53 to complete a circuit to the stepper coil 34,except when the off-on switch 48 moves a switch arm connected to thecommon contact 50 from the normally closed contact 47 to a normally opencontact 56 thereby interrupting the circuit between the stepper coil 34and the reset relay 28.

FIG. 3 illustrates a matrix circuit 60 having a plurality of time linesdefined by conductors 61 intersecting a plurality of spaced equipmentlines defined by conductors 62 whereby time increments and theaterequipment are coordinates of the matrix circuit 60. Each intersection ofeach time line 61 with each of the equipment lines 62 has an aperture orrecess (not shown) to receive a diode pin (not shown) for grounding theconnection between the respective time line 61 and equipment line 62 forprogramming operation of theater equipment. The diode pins arepositioned at intersections of selected time lines 61 and equipmentlines 62 defining coordinates representing the desired time incrementfor each unit of theater equipment thereby programming operation of theequipment in a desired sequence.

The time line conductors 61 are in one layer and the equipment lineconductors 62 are in another layer spaced from the conductors 61 and theconductors 62 are transverse to the conductors 61 to form coordinateswith a receptacle to receive a diode pin at each coordinate.

In the illustrated matrix circuit, a plurality of conductors 63 areconnected to the connector 20 of the counter circuit 16 to convey thetime signal to the respective time line 61. Each of the time lines 61 isa conductor and has suitable indicator means therein, such as anindicator light 64, for visually displaying signals representing thetime increment and respective time line or conductor 61 energized foractivating the equipment when a diode pin is placed at the intersectionof the energized time line 61 and the selected equipment line 62 wherebythe diode pin completes a circuit to the respective equipment, as laterdescribed. A plurality of conductors 65, one for each of the equipmentlines 62, extend between terminal strips 66 and 67 and each of theconductors 65 is connected to a different conductor representing anequipment line 62, as indicated at 68, and each conductor 65 hassuitable indicator means therein, such as an indicator light 69, forvisually displaying signals representing the equipment then operating.

Each of the equipment lines 62 has means associated therewith formanually activating the respective equipment and for activating therespective visual display 69 representing the manually activatedequipment. In the illustrated circuit, a pushbutton 70 is positioned ineach of the equipment lines 62 and suitable power is connected to theterminal strip 66 by a plurality of conductors 71, one for each of theconductors 65, whereby depressing a selected pushbutton completes acircuit between the equipment and the tenninal strips 66 and 67 toactivate the respective indicator light 69 and to complete a circuit tothe terminal strip 67 and to a relay in a circuit for activating therespective equipment, as later described.

The automatic control system 1 is particularly adapted for programmingelectrically operated theater equipment, such as a plurality of filmprojectors, sound equipment for the film projectors and for theatersound, house lights, curtain movement controls, screen size controls andspecial effects, such as oiling the respective projectors at least onceduring each reel of film, and the like.

FIG. 4 illustrates a left projector circuit 72 for activating andcontrolling operation of the left projector 2 and a right projectorcircuit 73 for activating and controlling operation of the rightprojector 3,'particularly adapted for use with a single theater. Whenfilm is in the left projector 2, a limit switch 74 is maintained in aclosed or grounded position to maintain a grounded connection to a coil75 of a left motor safety relay 76 through a conductor 77, therebyenergizing the left motor safety relay 76. When a diode pin (not shown)is inserted in a left motor start function line 78 at an intersection 79with a selected counter time line, a ground will be completed throughthe respective stepper switch contacts 26 and through the left motorsafety relay 76 to energize a coil 80 of a left motor start relay 81through a conductor 82 connected to a normally open contact 83 in theleft motor safety relay 76. The normally open contact 83 is engaged by aswitch arm which is connected to the left motor start function line 78when the coil 75 of the left motor safety relay 76 is energized. Theleft motor safety relay 76 is energized by tension in the film in theleft projector 2 which holds the limit switch 74 in an engaged orgrounded position thereby energizing the coil 80 of the left motor startrelay 81 which applies voltage across a start winding 84 of a motor forthe left projector 2.

When the coil 80 of the left motor start relay 81 is energized, a switcharm 85 is moved from a normally open contact to a normally closedcontact in the left motor start relay 81 to complete a circuit to asuitable power source 86 thereby effecting the starting of the motor(not shown) for the left projector 2. Also, when the coil 80 of the leftmotor start relay 81 is energized, a switch arm 87 is moved from anormally open contact to a normally closed contact with the normallyclosed contact being connected to a suitably grounded conductor and theswitch arm 87 being connected to a conductor 88 which is connected to acoil 89 of a left motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 90 therebycompleting a circuit to energize the coil 89.

When the coil 89 of the left motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 90 isenergized, a switch arm 91 is moved from a normally closed contact to anormally open contact with the normally open contact being connected toa suitably grounded conductor and the switch arm 91 being connected to aconductor 92 which is connected to a coil 93 of a left motor run relay94 to thereby energize the left motor run relay 94. When the coil 93 ofthe left motor run relay 94 is energized, a switch arm 95 is moved froma normally closed contact to a normally open contact to complete acircuit to the power source 86 and the start winding 84 throughconductors 96 and 97 connected to the switch arm 95 and the normallyopen contact engaged by the switch arm 95 respectively.

it is noted that the left motor start relay 81 is energized for only theone second that the stepper switch 25 engages the contact 26 connectedto the left motor start function line 78. When the left motor hold andinhibit cancel relay 90 energizes the coil 93 of the left motor runrelay 94, the coil 93 is latched through the left motor run relay 94 andthe left motor safety relay 76 thereby holding the left motor run relay94 energized until the end of the film in the left projector 2 or untila film break occurs in the left projector 2 thereby releasing the limitswitch 74 or until a safety switch 98 is opened or turned off therebyunlatching the left motor safety relay 76 by breaking the circuitthrough the conductor 77 to the coil 75.

. In the illustrated circuit, when the coil 93 of the left motor runrelay 94 is energized, a switch arm 99 is moved from a normally closedcontact to a normally open contact which is connected to a suitablygrounded conductor and the switch arm 99-is connected to a conductor 100which is connected to a switch am 101 in the left motor safety relay 76.The switch arm 101 is moved from a normally closed contact to a normallyopen contact when the coil 75 is energized and the normally open contactis connected to a conductor 102 which is connected to the conductor 92which extends between the switcharm 91 and the coil 93 therebycompleting a latching circuit between the left motor safety relay 76,left motor run relay 94, and the left motor hold and inhibit cancelrelay 90.

The projector start and run portion of the right projector circuit 73 issubstantially similar to the projector start and run portion of the leftprojector circuit 72 previously described, except for the wiringtoeffect the latching of a right motor hold and inhibit cancel relay103, a right motor run relay 104, and a right motor safety relay In theillustrated circuit, a switch arm 106 in the right motor run relay 104is connected to a suitably grounded conductor and is moved from anormally closed contact to a normally open-contact when the right motorrun relay 104 is energized by energizing the right motor hold andinhibit cancel relay 103 after starting the motor for the rightprojector 3. The normally open contact engaged by the switch arm 106 isconnected to a conductor 107 which is connected to a nonnally opencontact 108 in the right motor safety relay 105 which is engaged by aswitch arm 109 when the right motor safety relay 105 is energized. Theswitch arm 109 is connected to a conductor 110 which is connected to aconductor 111 which extends between a coil of the right motor run relay104 and a normally open contact 112 of the right motor hold and inhibitcancel relay 103 which is engaged by a switch arm 113 when the rightmotor hold and inhibit cancel relay 103 is energized by starting themotor for the right projector 3. The switch arm 113 is connected to asuitably grounded conductor, thereby latching a coil of the right motorrun relay 104 through the right motor safety relay 105 and the rightmotor hold and inhibit cancel relay 103 until the end of a reel of filmin the right projector 3 or until a film break occurs thereby relaxing alimit switch 114 on the right projector 3 or until a safety switch 115is turned to an open or off position thereby unlatching the right motorsafety relay 105.

The left projector circuit 72 includes left lamp circuits 119 forturning a projector lamp (not shown) on and off in response toprogramming with the diode pins in the matrix circuit 60. When a diodepin is inserted in a left lamp on function line 120 at the intersection121 with a selected time line, a circuit is completed to energize a coil122 of a left lamp on" relay 123. When the coil 122 is energized, aswitch arm 124 in the left lamp on" relay 123 is moved from a normallyclosed contact to a normally open contact to complete a circuit toenergize a rectifier contactor relay and to complete a holding circuitthrough a left lamp of? relay 125 and a left lamp safety relay 126. Acoil 127 of the left lamp safety relay 126 is energized by film in theleft projector 2 engaging the limit switch 74 to complete a circuit withthe coil 127 through a conductor 128 which is connected to the conductor77. When the coil 127 of the left lamp safety relay 126 is energized, aswitch am 129 is moved from a normally closed contact to a normally opencontact which is connected to the switch arm 124 in the left lamp onrelay 123. A conductor 130 is connected to a switch arm 131 in the leftlamp "off relay 125 and the switch am 131 engages a normally closedcontact in the left lamp off relay 125 when a coil of the left lamp offrelay 125 is relaxed and the normally closed contact is con nected tothe switch arm 124 by a conductor 132 thereby latching the left lamp on"relay 123 and the left lamp safety relay 126 through the left lamp offrelay 125.

Energizing the left lamp on" relay 123 and the left lamp safety relay126 completes a circuit to a rectifier for the lamp in the leftprojector 2. In the illustrated circuit, a conductor 133 extends betweena rectifier 134 and a coil 135 of a rectifijector 2. The holding circuitto the switch 136 er contactor relay for moving a switch 136 foractivating the rectifier 134. The coil 135 is energized by energizingthe left lamp on" relay 123 and in the illustrated circuit, a conductor137 extends between the switch arm 129 in the left lamp safety relay 126and the coil 135 to thereby energize the coil 135 when the left lamp on"relay 123 and the left lamp safety relay 126 are energized. The holdingcircuit for the switch 136 is defined by conductors 138 and 139 whichare connected to spaced contacts of the switch 136 and to the normallyopen contact engaged by the switch arm 124 and to the normally closedcontact engaged by the switch arm 131 respectively.

The lamp in the left projector 2 may be turned off by a diode pin in aleft lamp off function line 141 at an intersection 142 with a selectedtime line in the matrix circuit 60 which completes a circuit to energizea coil 143 of the left lamp ofi relay thereby moving the switch arm 131out of engagement with its normally closed contact to break theconnection with the rectifier 134 for the lamp for the left prothroughthe conductors 139, 132 and 138 is broken when the switch arm 131 in theleft lamp off relay 125 is moved out of engagement with its nonnallyclosed contact in response to energizing the coil 143. The circuit tothe coil through the conductors 130 and 137 is also broken when theswitch arm 131 is moved by energizing of the coil 143 of the left lampoff relay 125 thereby relaxing the switch 136 to turn off the lamp forthe left projector 2.

A film break which allows the left limit switch 74 to move to break thecircuit to the coil 127 of the left safety relay 126 or manuallyoperating the safety switch 98 is operative to relax or release the leftlamp safety relay 126. When the coil 127 is relaxed, a switch arm 144engages a normally closed contact to complete a circuit to a warninglamp 145 positioned on a suitable control panel (not shown) to therebyindicate the nonoperating condition of the lamp for the left projector2.

A lamp for the right projector 3 is operated by a right lamp circuitportion 146 of the right projector circuit 73 which is identical inoperation to the left lamp circuit portion 119 of the left projectorcircuit 72.

Both the left lamp circuits 119 and the right lamp circuits 146 havesuitable switches therein for manually turning the respective projectorlamps on and ofi and for selecting manual or automatic operation. Theswitches in the left lamp circuits 119 will be described and it is to beunderstood that the switches in the right lamp circuits are identical.In the illustrated circuits, a selector switch 147 is positioned in aconductor extending between and connected to the conductors 137 and 138.When the selector switch 147 is in its open position, the lamp for theleft projector 2 will be turned on by a diode pin at the intersection121 and turned off by a diode pin at the intersection 142.

Moving the selector switch 147 to its closed position will complete acircuit to the coil 135 of the rectifier contactor relay when a lamp onswitch 148 is moved from its normally open position to its closedposition. The lamp on switch 148 is positioned in the conductorextending between the conductors 137 and 138.

The lamp for the left projector 2 may be turned off by opening a lampoff switch 149 positioned in the conductor 137 thereby breaking acircuit to the coil 135 and opening the switch 136 to deactivate therectifier 134. Opening the lamp off switch 149 breaks the latchingcircuit connecting the left lamp on" relay 123 and the left lamp safetyrelay 126 through the left lamp off relay 125. By positioning the lampoff switch 149 in the conductor 137, the lamp will be turned off whenthe selector switch 147 is in either its open or closed position forautomatic or manual operation respectively.

FIG. 5 illustrates a picture and sound changeover circuit 150 which isoperative to change the picture from one of the projectors to the otherand to change the sound from one of the projectors to the other and tochange from projector sound to theater sound and to change back toprojector sound.

When a diode pin is inserted in a picture to left function line 151 atan intersection 152 with a selected counter time line, a circuit will becompleted through the stepper switch contacts 26 corresponding with theselected time line to energize a coil 153 of a picture to'left relay154. When the coil 153 is energized for the instant that the stepperswitch 25 engages the contact 26 corresponding to the selected timeline, a switch arm 155 in the picture to left relay 154 will be movedfrom a normally closed contact to a nonnally open contact, with thenormally open contact being connected to a suitably grounded conductorand the switch am 155 being connected to a normally closed contact inthe left motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 90, shown in FIG. 4, by aconductor 156 to thereby ground an inhibit circuit, as later described,through the left motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 90 to prevent thestepper switch 25 from stopping on the contact 26 during the changeover.

A switch arm 157 in the picture to left relay 154 is also moved from anormally closed contact to a normally open contact to complete a circuitto apply power to a cross-connected changeover solenoid or coil 158through a conductor 159. Power is supplied to the normally open contactenergized by the switch arm 157 by aconductor 158 to energize thesolenoid or coil 158.

When a diode pin is inserted in a picture to right function line 161 atan intersection 162 with a selected time line, a ground will becompleted by the stepper switch 25 engaging the contact 26 of theselected time line thereby completing a circuit to a coil 163 of apicture to right relay 164. When the coil 163 is energized, for theinstant that the stepper switch 25 engages the respective contact 26, aswitch arm 165 will move from a nonnally closed to a normally opencontact with the normally open contact being connected to a suitablygrounded conductor. The switch arm 165 is connected to a conductor 166which extends between the switch arm 165 and the normally closed contactengaged by the switch arm 155 to complete a circuit to the left motorhold and inhibit cancel relay 90 and to the right motor hold and inhibitcancel relay 103 when the picture to left relay 154, the left motor holdand inhibit cancel relay 90, the pircture to right relay 164, and theright motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 103 are relaxed a circuit willbe completed to the inhibit relay 21 in the counter circuit 16, as laterdescribed. Moving the switch arm 165 by energizing the coil 163 breaks acircuit to the right motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 103 through aconductor 167 and completes a circuit to the inhibit relay 21 throughthe left motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 90 to prevent the stepperswitch 25 from stopping on the contact 26 during the changeover. 7

When the coil 163 of the picture to right relay 164 is energized, aswitch arm 168 will be moved from a normally closed contact to anormally open contact to complete a circuit to a cross-connectedchangeover coil or solenoid 169 through a conductor 170. Power issupplied to the normally open contact engaged by the switch arm 168through a conductor 171 to energize the solenoid or coil 169.

Picture changeover between the left projector 2 and the right projector3, may be manually accomplished by moving switches 172 or 173 connectedto the power conductors 160 and 171 respectively. When the switch 172 ismanually closed, current will be supplied to the coil or solenoid 158 toeffect changeover to the left projector 2 and the coil or solenoid 169will be moved to the closed position. When the switch 173 is manuallymoved to the closed position, power will be supplied through the coil orsolenoid 169 to the coil or solenoid 158 to effect a reversal of theirpositions.

When a diode pin is inserted in a sound to left function line 176 at anintersection 177 with a selected counter time line, a ground will becompleted through the stepper switch 25 and the contact 26 of theselected time line to energize a coil 178 of a sound to left relay 179thereby moving a switch arm 180 out of engagement with a normally closedcontact to break a connection through aconductor 181 to a switch arm 182of a sound changeover relay 183 in the right projector 3. The switch arm182 completes a circuit to a coil 184 of a sound changeover relay 185 inthe left projector 2 through a conductor 186 whereby energizing thesound to left relay 179 relaxes the sound changeover relay 185 therebypermitting a switch arm 187 in the sound changeover relay 185 to returnto its normally closed position, thereby completing a circuit to anexciter lamp 188 in the left projector 2 which is in a suitably groundedconductor 189. Relaxing or releasing the coil 184 of the soundchangeover relay 185 allows a switch arm 190 to return to its normallyclosed contact to complete a circuit to a coil 191 of the soundchangeover relay 183 in the right projector 3. The normally closedcontact engaged by the switch arm 190 is connected to the coil 191 ofthe sound changeover relay 183 by a conductor 192 and the switch arm 190is connected to a suitably grounded conductor 193. The exciter lamp 188in the left projector 2 receives power from a suitable power source 194which is connnected to the switch arm 187 when the coil 184 of the soundchangeover relay 185 is relaxed.

When a diode pin is placed in the sound toright function line 195 at anintersection 196 with a selected counter time line, a ground will becompleted through the stepper switch 25 and the contact 26 in theselected time line to energize a coil 197 of a sound to right relay 198.When the coil 197 is energized, a switch arm 199 will be moved out ofengagement with a normally closed contact to thereby break a groundedconnection to the coil 191 of the sound changeover relay 183 in theright projector 3 through the conductors 192 and 193 and the switch arm190. Releasing or relaxing the coil 191 of the sound changeover relay183 permits a switch arm 200 to move or return to engage a normallyclosed contact thereby energizing an exciter lamp 201 in a suitablygrounded conductor 202. Relaxing the coil 191 allows the switch arm 182to engage a normally closed contact thereby energizing the coil 184 ofthe sound changeover relay 185 through the conductor 186 and theconductor 181 and the switch arm 180 in the sound to left relay 179 whenthe coil 178 thereof is relaxed. Energizing the coil 184 of the soundchangeover relay 185 moves the switch arm 187 out of engagement with itsnormally closed contact, thereby breaking the circuit to the exciterlamp 188 in the left projector 2. The exciter lamp 201 in the rightprojector 3 receives power from a suitable power source 203 which isconnected to the switch am 200 by a conductor 204 when the coil 191 ofthe sound changeover relay 183 is relaxed.

When a diode pin is inserted in a tape sound function line 205 at anintersection 206 with a selected counter time line, a ground will becompleted through the stepper switch 25 and the contact 26 for theselected time line to energize a coil 207 of a tape sound relay 208.When the coil 207 is energized, a switch arm 209 in the tape sound relay208 will be moved to engage its normally open contact to complete acircuit to a sound switch relay (not shown) in the sound cabinet 14. Theswitch arm 209 is connected to a conductor 210 which is connected to asuitable source of power, such as 110 volts alternating current and thenormally open contact engaged by the switch arm 209 is connected toaconductor 211 which is connected to the coil of the sound relay (notshown). When the coil 207 is energized a switch arm 212 in the tapesound relay 208 will be moved to engage a normally open contact whichwill complete a latching circuit to a film sound relay 213. The

switch arm 212 is connected to a conductor 214 which is con-,

nected to a switch arm 215 in the film sound relay 213 which, whenengaged with a normally closed contact completes a circuit to a suitablygrounded conductor 216 and to the coil 207 of the tape sound relay 208.The normally open contact engaged by the switch arm 212 is connected tothe tape sound function line 205 by a conductor 217 to complete thelatching circuit. The sound relay (not shown) in the sound cabinet 14switches from a dummy load to a theater speaker (not shown) to providetaped music, such as before and after a film presentation and duringintermission.

When a diode pin is inserted in a film sound function line 219 at anintersection 220 with a selected time line, a circuit will be completedto energize a coil 22] of the film sound relay 213. When the coil 221 isenergized, the switch arm 215 will be moved out of engagement with itsnormally closed contact thereby breaking the latching circuit throughthe conductors 214 and 216 which permits the coil 207 to relax and theswitch arm 209 to move out of engagement with its normally open contact,thereby breaking the circuit to the coil of the sound relay within thesound cabinet 14. The sound relay (not shown) in the sound cabinet 14switches from the theater speaker to the dummy load thereby allowing theprojector sound to operate.

It may be desirable to automatically control opening and closing ofcurtains at the screen before and after a presentation, therefore, acurtain control circuit 223 is illustrated in FIG. 6. When a diode pinis placed in a curtain open function line 224 at an intersection 225with a selected counter time line in the matrix circuit 60, a coil 226of a curtain open relay 227 will be energized to complete a circuit to amechanical latching relay (not shown) in a curtain control 228 whichwill hold the circuit until an open limit switch (not shown) or a manualcurtain stop switch 229 is actuated. The curtain stop switch 229 ispositioned in a conductor 230 connected to a suitable source ofelectrical current, such as 110 volts alternating current. When the coil226 is energized a switch arm 231 will be moved to engage its normallyopen contact which is connected to the curtain control 228 by aconductor 232 and the switch arm 231 is connected to a conductor 233which is connected to the conductor 230 having the curtain stop switch229 therein and to a switch arm 234 in a curtain close relay 235. 7

When a diode pin is placed in a curtain close function line 236 at anintersection 237 with a selected time line, a coil 238 of the curtainclose relay 235 will be energized to move the switch am 234 to engageits normally open contact which is connected to the curtain control 228by a conductor 239, thereby completing a circuit to the mechanicallatching relay in the curtain control 228 which will hold the circuituntil a closed limit switch (not shown) is opened or the manual curtainstop switch229 is actuated to break the circuit to the curtain control228.

Operation of the light levels within the theater is controlled by ahouse light circuit 240, as shown in in FIG. 6, which is similar to thecircuits for controlling the curtain movement, wherein a diode pin in ahouse light up function line 241 will energize a house lights up relay242 to complete a circuit to a latching relay (not shown) in a lightdimmer control 243 until an upper limit switch (not shown) is reached ora dimmer stop switch 244 is opened. A diode pin in a house lights downfunction line 245 will actuate a house lights down relay 246 to completea latching circuit in the light dimmer control 243 until a lower limitswitch (not shown) is reached or until the dimmer stop switch 244 isopened.

FIG. 7 illustrates a mask control circuit for controlling the width ofan exposed portion of a theater screen (not shown) which remainsuncovered by a mask mechanism (not shown). The mask mechanism hasportions in covering relation with the screen and positioned adjacentopposite ends of the screen with the portions being movable toward andaway from the center of the screen in response to operation of the maskcontrol circuit. When a diode pin is inserted in a mask open functionline 247 at an intersection with a selected time line and a diode pin isinserted in a mask open run function line 248 at the intersection withthe same time line, a mask open relay 249 and a mask open run relay 250will be energized by a completed circuit through the stepper switchcontacts 26 corresponding to the selected time line.

When the mask open relay 249 is energized, a circuit will be completedfrom a power source 251 to an open coil 252 of a direction control relay253. in the illustrated mask control circuit, the power source 251 isconnected to a common conductor 254 which is connected to a switch arm255 in the mask open relay 249 and to a switch arm 256 in the mask openrun relay 250.

The direction control relay 253 is of the mechanically latched type andenergizing the mask open run relay 250 completes a circuit to an opencoil 257 of a motor start relay. The circuit is from the power source251 through a common conductor 254, the switch arm 256 in the mask openrun relay 250 and a conductor 258 which is connected to a normally opencontact engaged by the switch arm 256 and to the open coil 257 of themotor start relay. The conductor 258 has one portion extending betweenthe mask open run relay 250 and a switch arm in the direction controlrelay 253 and an other portion extending between a contact in thedirection control relay 253 and the open coil 257 of the motor startrelay. A limit switch 259 is positioned in the portion of the conductor258 extending between the direction control relay 253 and the open coil257 of the motor start relay.

Energizing the mask open run relay 250 energizes a motor holding relay260 which when energized provides a holding circuit for the mask openrun relay 250 that is maintained until the mask mechanism opens thelimit switch 259. A conductor has one end connected to a coil of themotor holding relay 260 and the other end connected to that portion ofthe conductor 258 between the direction control relay 253 and the opencoil 257 of motor start relay at a point between said coil 257 and thelimit switch 259.

When it is desired to close the mask mechanism (not shown), a diode pinis inserted in a mask close function line 261 at an intersection with aselected counter time line and a diode pin is inserted in a mask closerun function line 262 at an intersection with the same selected timeline to complete a ground through the stepper switch contacts 26 of theselected time line to energize a mask close relay 263 and a mask closerun relay 264 respectively. A close coil 265 of the direction controlrelay 253 is energized in response to energizing the mask close relay263 in a circuit substantially similar to that for energizing the opencoil 252 of the direction control relay 253. A close coil 266 of themotor start relay is energized and a holding relay 267 is also energizedin response to energizing the mask close run relay 264 in a circuitwhich is substantially the same as the circuit for energizing the opencoil 257 and the motor holding relay 260 whereby the motor holding relay267 provides a holding circuit for the mask close run relay 264 which ismaintained until the mask mechanism opens a limit switch 268.

FIG. 8 illustrates an inhibit and cue circuit 270 for controllingoperation of the inhibit relay 21 in the counter circuit 16, such as forenergizing a coil 271 of the inhibit relay 21 to break the power to thecounter drive motor 17 and to hold the count until one of the controlcircuits is activated for a selected equipment function. When a diodepin is placed in an auto inhibit function line 272 at an intersection273 with a selected counter time line, a circuit will be completedthrough the stepper switch 25 and the contact 26 connected to theselected time line, thereby energizing or activating an auto inhibitrelay 274 by completing a circuit to a coil 275 of the auto inhibitrelay 274. Energizing the coil 275 of the auto inhibit relay 274 isoperative to energize the coil 271 of the inhibit relay 21 therebybreaking power to the counter motor 17 by moving the switch armconnected to the common contact 22 from engagement with the normallyclosed contact 23 thereby breaking the circuit to the motor 17 throughthe conductor 19, thereby holding the count until one of the interlockedcontrol circuits, as later described, is activated.

When the coil 275 of the auto inhibit relay 274 is energized, a switcharm 276 therein will be moved from its normally closed contact to engagea normally open contact which is connected to the coil 275 by aconductor 277 and to a suitable source of power by a conductor 278 whichis also connected to the coil 275. The switch arm 276 is connected to anormally closed contact in a left cue relay 279 by a conductor 280. Whena coil 281 of the left cue relay 279 is relaxed, a switch arm 282engages the normally closed contact having the conductor 280 connectedthereto. The switch arm 282 is connected to a switch arm 283 in a rightcue relay 284 by a conductor 285. When a coil 286 of the right cue relay284 is relaxed, the switch arm 283 will engage its normally closedcontact which is connected to a normally closed contact in a manualinhibit relay 287 by a conductor 288. When a coil 289 of the manualinhibit relay 287 is relaxed, a switch arm 290 will engage the normallyclosed contact in the manual inhibit relay 287 which is connected to theconductor 288. The switch am 290 is connected to a normally closedcontact in the right motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 103 by aconductor 291. When a coil 292 of the right motor hold and inhibitcancel relay 103 is relaxed, a switch arm 293 therein will engage thenormally closed contact connected to the conductor 291. The switch arm293 is connected to a normally closed contact in the picture to rightrelay 164 by the conductor 167, as previously described. When the coil163 of the picture to right relay 164 is relaxed, the switch arm 165engages the normally closed contact connected to the conductor 167 andthe switch arm 165 is connected to the conductor 166 which is connectedto a normally closed contact engaged by the switch arm 155 in thepicture to left relay 154. The switch arm 155 is connected to a normallyclosed contact in the left motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 90 by theconductor 156, as previously described. The normally closed contact inthe left motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 90 which is connected tothe conductor 156 is engaged by a switch arm 294 when the coil 89 of theleft motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 90 is relaxed therebycompleting a circuit to the inhibit relay 21 in the counter circuit 16through a conductor 295 which is connnected to the connector 20 and aconductor 296 which is connected to the coil 271 of the inhibit relay 21and to the connector 20 to energize the coil 271 of the inhibit relay 21to hold the count until one of the control circuits is activated.

The coil 271 of the inhibit relay 21 remains energized until one of therelays in the inhibit latching circuit, previously described, isenergized or actuated. for example, a cue sensor or pick off 297 mountedon the left projector 2 is operative to energize or activate the coil281 of the left cue relay 279 in response to a momentary ground tocomplete a circuit to the coil 281. When the coil 281 is activated, theswitch arm 282 is moved out of engagement with its normally closedcontact thereby breaking the latching circuit. However, the left cuerelay 279 latches with the auto inhibit relay 274 until the auto inhibitrelay 274 is relaxed as the count moves to the next time line.Energizing the coil 281 of the left cue relay 279 moves a switch arm 298to engage its normally open contact with said normally open contactbeing connected to the coil 281 by a conductor 299 and thereby tocomplete a circuit to the auto inhibit relay 274. The switch arm 298 isconnected to a conductor 300 which is connected to a conductor 301extending between the auto inhibit relay 274 and the right cue relay284. The portion of the conductor 301 between the conductor 300 and theauto inhibit relay 274 is connected to a normally open contact engagedby a switch arm 302 in the auto inhibit relay 274 when same is activatedand the switch arm 302 is connected to a suitably grounded conductor303, thereby completing a latching circuit between the left cue relay279 and the auto inhibit relay 274 until the stepper switch 25 moves tothe next time line in the counter circuit 16.

The cue sensor or pick off 297 is also operative to activate a left cuelight relay 304 in response to a momentary ground at the cue sensor orpick off 297 positioned on the left projector 2. The left cue lightrelay 304 is grounded and is connected to the left cue relay 279 and itis desirable to prevent ground feed back to the left cue relay 279 whichwould energize same, therefore, a diode 305 is positioned in a conductor306 connecting the coil 281 of the left cue relay 279 and a coil 307 ofthe left cue light relay 304. When the coil 307 is energized, a switcharm 308 in the left cue light relay 304 will move to engage a normallyopen contact which is connected to a conductor 309 having a left cuelight 310 mounted therein. The switch arm 308 is connected to aconductor 311 for completing a circuit to a suitable display panel (notshown) having the left cue light 310 therein. When the coil 307 of theleft cue light relay 304 is energized, a switch arm 312 will be moved toengage its normally open contact to complete a latching circuit to aleft cue light cancel pushbutton 313. The switch arm 312 is connected toa conductor 314 extending between and connected to the switch arm 312and the conductor 306 between the diode 305 and the coil 307 and thenormally open contact engaged by the switch arm 312 is connected to aconductor 315 which has the left cue light cancel pushbutton 313therein.

The conductor 315 having the pushbutton 313 therein is suitably groundedand the coil 307 of the left one light relay 304 is connected tosuitable power source whereby the coil 307 will remain energized untilthe pushbutton 313 is opened thereby breaking the circuit. The diode 305prevents energizing the coil 281 of the left cue relay 279 except by thepick on 297.

A right cue sensor or pick off 316 is operative to energize the coil 286of the right cue relay 284 and to energize a coil 317 of a right cuelight relay 318. The right cue sensor 316 is connected to a conductor319 extending between and connected to the coils 286 and 317 of theright cue relay 284 and the right cue light relay 318, respectively.When the coil 286 is energized, the switch arm 283 will be moved out ofengagement with its nonnally closed contact, thereby breaking thelatching circuit to the inhibit relay 21. Also, when the coil 286 isactivated or energized, a switch arm 320 which is in the right cue relay284 and connected to a portion of the conductor 301 will be moved toengage its normally open contact which is connnected to a conductor 321which is connected to the conductor 319 adjacent the coil 286 therebycompleting a latching circuit to the auto inhibit relay 274 until theauto inhibit relay 274 drops out as the count moves to the next timeline. The right cue light relay 318 activates a right cue light 322 andcompletes a circuit to a right cue light cancel pushbutton 323 in amanner similar to the operation of the left cue light relay 304.

The inhibit and cue circuit 270 controls the counter whereby the countis stopped and held by application of voltage to the coil 271 of theinhibit relay 21 in the counter circuit 16. The inhibit circuit 270 iscontrolled by the matrix circuit 60, the cue sensors 297 and 316, amanual start pushbutton 325, as later described, or a remote startpushbutton (not shown) and the associated interlock circuits whichprevent the counter motor 17 from stopping at critical times due to apro gramming error, such as may be caused by an incorrectly positioneddiode pin or pins. The auto inhibit function will not operate when adiode pin is inserted at the intersection 273 and a diode pin is alsoinserted on the same time line for activating the functions of leftmotor start, right motor start, picture to left or picture to right.

The manual inhibit relay 287 is energized by a diode pin inserted in amanual inhibit function line 326, having the manual start pushbutton 325therein, at an intersection 327 with a selected time line, therebycompleting a grounded circuit through the stepper switch 25 and thecontact 26 of the selected time line to thereby energize the coil 289 ofthe manual inhibit relay 287. Energizing the coil 289 moves the switcharm 290 to engage its normally open contact which is connected to thecoil 289 of the manual inhibit relay 287 by a conductor 328 to completea latching circuit to energize the coil 271 of the inhibit relay 21through the right motor hold and inhibit cancel relay 103, the pictureto right relay 164, the picture to left relay 154 and the left motorhold and inhibit cancel relay 90, as previously described. Moving theswitch arm 290 from its normally closed contact breaks the latchingcircuit through the conductors 288, 285 and 280 to the auto inhibitrelay 274. The inhibit relay 21 breaks the power to the counter motor 17and holds the count until one of the control circuits in the latchingcircuit with the manual inhibit relay 287 is actuated.

The count may be started from the manual inhibit position by energizingone of the control circuits in the latching circuit for a period of morethan 1 second to allow the count to move from the manual inhibitposition on the matrix circuit 60. It is noted that a presentationshould always be started with the manual start pushbutton 325 or aremote start switch (not shown) suitably positioned in a control panelpreferably also having the cue lights 310 and 322 therein. The manualstart pushbutton 325 is positioned in the conductor defining the manualinhibit function line 326 and the pushbutton 325 is illustrated as anormally closed switch which when opened will break the circuit to thecoil 289 of the manual inhibit relay 287, thereby relaxing the coil 289and grounding both sides of the coil 271 of the inhibit relay 21 tothereby relax same to allow the counter motor 17 to turn the cam (notshown) therein to continue the count. Power is supplied to the coil 289of the manual inhibit relay 287 through a conductor 329 except when thestart count pushbutton 325 is opened to break the circuit to the coil289 to thereby ground both sides of the coil 271 of the inhibit relay 21whereby the counter motor 17 will operate.

FIG. 9 illustrates a reset circuit 325 which permits an operator toreturn the count to a start position or number one time line withoutactivating any equipment functions during the movement of the brush orcontact arms 40 of the stepper switches 25. A manual inhibit pushbutton336, shown in FIG. 8, is depressed and held to energize the coil 289 ofthe manual inhibit relay 287. A rest pushbutton 337 is depressed andheld to energize a coil 338 of a reset relay 339. The reset pushbutton337 is held until the counter stops at the start position or number onetime line, and then the reset pushbutton 337 is released and the manualinhibit pushbutton 336 is released to thereby position the automaticcontrol system 1 in the position to srart a presentation.

When a diode pin is inserted in the manual inhibit function line 326 atthe intersection 327 on the start position at time line one, the countwill hold at said time line one ready for the manual inhibit start of apresentation. The manual inhibit pushbutton 336 is then depressed tolock out the counter motor 17 thereby preventing movement of the brushor contact arms 40 of the stepper switches 25 during the reset cycle.Depressing the reset pushbutton 337 applies voltage to the coil 41 ofthe reset relay 28 thereby energizing same to move one of the switcharms therein out of engagement with the normally closed contact 37 tobreak the circuit to the stepper switch ground circuit through theconductor 38 to prevent the actuation of functions. When the coil 41 ofthe reset relay 28 is energized, a switch arm connected to'the commoncontact 45 will be moved to engage the normally open contact 44 tocomplete a circuit to the stepper coil 34 and to a normally closedcontact 47 of the off-on" switch 48 through the conductor 46 extendingbetween the common contact 45 in the reset relay 28 and the normallyclosed contact 47 in the offon" switch 48, as previously described andshown in FIG. 2. The contacts of the interrupter switch 52 allow thestepper switches 25 to step toward their respective home position andthe contacts of the off-on switch 48 open at the start or home positionat time line number one to stop the cycle.

It may be desirable to automatically program special equipmentfunctions, such as providing oil to selected moving parts of eachprojector at least once per reel of film, preferably between thefunctions of motor start and changeover, for the respective projector,therefore, FIG. illustrates typical special efiects circuits. In theillustrated circuit, a diode pin inserted in a special efi'ects functionline 340 at an intersection 341 with a selected time line will completea circuit to a coil 342 of a special effects relay 343 therebyenergizing same. Energizing the coil 342 moves a switch arm 344 in thespecial effects relay 343 to engage a normally open contact to completea circuit to a solenoid 345 for the one second interval that the stepperswitch 25 engages the contact 26 in the selected time line. The solenoid345 is positioned in a conductor 346 extending between the normally opencontact engaged by the switch arm 344 and a power source 347. The switcharm 344 is connected to a suitably grounded conductor 348 to completethe circuit to the solenoid 345 which is operative to effect operationof the desired special effects function.

FIG. 10 also includes a second special effects circuit 350 which issubstantially similar to the previously described circuit whereby thepreviously described solenoid 345 is operative to activate an oiler (notshown) for the left projector 2 and the second special efiects circuit350 is operative to effect operation of an oiler (not shown) on theright projector 3.

It may be desirable to bypass the limit switch 74 in the left projectorcircuit 72 and to bypass the limit switch 114 in the right projectorcircuit 73, particularly during the counting period, therefore, a filmbreak relay 351 is illustrated in FIG. 4 and is electrically connectedto the limit switches 74 and 114. The film break relay 351, is connectedto the auto inhibit relay 274 to prevent the limit switches 74 and 114from breaking the circuit to the left motor safety relay 76 and the leftlamp safety relay 126 in the left lamp circuits 119 of the leftprojector circuit 72 and to the right motor safety relay and a rightlamp safety relay 352 in the right lamp circuit 146 of the rightprojector circuit 73 respectively. When the auto inhibit relay 274 isrelaxed, a coil 353 of the film break relay 351 will be energized. Thecoil 353 of the film break relay 351 is connected to the auto inhibitrelay 274 by a conductor 354 which is connected to a normally closedcontact in the auto inhibit relay 274 which is engaged by the switch arm302 when the auto inhibit relay 274 is relaxed. The switch arm 302 isconnected to the grounded conductor 303 to complete the grounded circuitbetween the conductor 303 and the coil 353 of the film break relay 351which thereby energizes same.

When the coil 353 of the film break relay 351 is energized, switch arms356 and 357 will be moved to engage normally open contacts connected tosuitably grounded conductors 358 and 359 respectively thereby completinga grounded circuit through the conductors 77 and 128 to the left motorsafety relay 76 and the left lamp safety relay 126 respectively andthrough conductors 360 and 361 to the right motor safety relay 105 andthe right lamp safety relay respectively. Completing the groundedcircuits prevents the film break circuit from functioning unless thesystem is resting on auto inhibit, that is unless the coil 275 of theauto inhibit relay 274 is energized. The auto inhibit relay 274 will berelaxed during counting, that is except when energized by a diode pininserted in the intersection 273, and the grounded circuits previouslydescribed will be completed whereby the film break limit switches 74 and1 14 will be inoperative during the counting period, as best seen inFIGS. 4 and 8. This is particularly advantageous when slack occurs infilm in the projectors, such as during start up.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a film break sensor 365 for mounting on eachof the projectors 2 and 3 to sense a film break and to release therespective limit switch 74 or 114, thereby signaling the respectiveprojector to stop. In the illustrated structure, each film break sensor365 has a shaft 366 extending from the respective film projector withthe shaft 366 being transverse to a film path, as designated by thearrow F, therethrough. A lever 367 is pivotally mounted adjacent a freeend of the shaft 366 and has a film roller 368 mounted adjacent one endof the lever 367 for engagement with film moving through the respectiveprojector. When the film roller 368 engages film moving through theprojector, tension in the film will hold the lever 367 out of engagementwith a switch arm 369 of the respective limit switch 74 or 114. When theswitch arm 369 is engaged by the lever 367, as shown in FIG. 11, thelimit switches 74 or 114 will be opened to break the circuit to therespective film projector. A counterweight 370 is mounted on the lever367 and positioned for moving the lever into engagement with the switcharm 369 when film engaging the film roller 368 breaks, whereby the limitswitch 74 or 114 stops the respective film projector 2 or 3.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a cue sensor 375 for use in the inhibit andcue circuit 270, as shown at 297 and 316 in FIG. 8. Each cue sensor 375is mounted on respective film projectors 2 or 3 and is electricallyconnected to the respective film projector and to the inhibit and cuecircuit 270. The cue sensors 375 are operative to activate the cueingcircuit, as shown in FIG. 8, for restarting the counter motor 17.

Each cue sensor 375 has a plurality of rollers 376 arranged in twospaced part pairs 377 and 378. The spaced apart pairs 377 and 378, arepositioned with a film path P through the respective projector passingbetween the rollers 376 in each of the pairs 377 and 378. Both rollers376, in one of the pairs, such as the pair 377, are electricallyconnected to the cueing circuit, as shown in FIG. 8, and the other pairof rollers 378 is suitably grounded and one roller in each pair,preferably the upper roller, is spring loaded to press the film intofirm engagement with the roller connected to the cueing circuit wherebya suitable grounding means, such as a strip of conductive cue tape (notshown) placed on an edge of the film preferably on the side opposite thesound track, is operative to ground the rollers to complete a circuit toactivate the respective equipment function, as shown in the cueingcircuit 270.

In the illustrated structure, an arm 379 is mounted on and extends fromthe respective film projector 2 or 3 to position the pair of rollers 377and 378 to have the film path F extend between the rollers 376 of eachof the pairs 377 and 378 to permit the conductive cue tape to provide amomentary ground to activate the respective cueing circuit.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described oneform of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific form orarrangement of parts herein described and shown.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An automatic control system for programming operation of electricallyoperated theater equipment comprising:

a. a counter and means associated therewith for producing a signal ateach of a plurality to spaced time increments;

b. an electrical circuit for selectively activating each unit of aplurality of units of electrically operated theater equipment inresponse to a signal from said signal producing means;

c. means in said equipment activating circuits for holding said counterat said respective selected time increment during operation of eachselected unit of theater equipment;

d. means in selected equipment activating circuits for starting saidcounter in response to completion of operation of I said respectiveselected equipment;

e. a matrix having a plurality of spaced time lines positioned in aplane and a plurality of spaced equipment lines positioned in a secondplane substantially parallel with and spaced from said first namedplane, said time lines and said equipment lines being arranged to havetime increments and equipment as coordinates;

f. means in said matrix at each of said coordinates for permitting aconnection between the time line and equipment line at said respectivecoordinates; and

g. means selectively engageable with said connection permitting meansthereby programming operation of selected equipment in a desiredsequence.

2. An automatic control system for programming operation of electricallyoperated theater equipment comprising:

a. a counter and means associated therewith for producing a signal ateach of a plurality of spaced time increments, said counter and signalproducing means including an increment stepper switch and power meansfor moving said stepper switch from a start position through each ofsaid spaced time increments to a timed out position and meansselectively operable to reset said stepper switch by retuming saidstepper switch to said start position and to retain said signalproducing means inactive during the return of said stepper switch tosaid start position;

. an electrical circuit for selectively activating each unit of aplurality of units of electrically operated theater equipment inresponse to a signal from said signal producing means, said equipmentactivating circuits each including a plurality of film projectoractivating circuits, one for each of a plurality of film projectors,each of said film projector activating circuits having a film breakcircuit electrically connected thereto, each of said film break circuitshaving means connected thereto for sensing a film break and forsignaling said respective film projector to stop in the event of a breakin film in said film projector, said film break sensing means includinga shaft extending from said respective film projector transverse to afilm path therethrough and a lever pivotally mounted adjacent a free endof said shaft and a film roller mounted adjacent one end of said leverfor engagement with film in said respective film projector and a limitswitch electrically connected to the electrical circuit for activatingsaid respective film projector and a counterweight mounted on said leverand positioned for moving said lever into engagement with said limitswitch when film engaging said film roller breaks whereby said limitswitch is engaged to stop said respective film projector;

0. means connected to said equipment activating circuits for selectingthe respective time increment for activating each of said units oftheater equipment;

d. means in said equipment activating circuits for holding said counterat said respective selected time increment during operation of eachselected unit of theater equipment; and

e. means in selected equipment activating circuits for staning saidcounter in response to completion of operation of said respectiveselected equipment.

3. An automatic control system for programming operation of electricallyoperated theater equipment comprising:

a. a counter and means associated therewith for producing a signal ateach of a plurality of spaced time increments, said counter and signalproducing means including an increment stepper switch and power meansfor moving said stepper switch from a start position through each ofsaid spaced time increments to a timed out position and meansselectively operable to reset said stepper switch by retuming saidstepper switch to said start position and to retain said signalproducing means inactive during the return of said stepper switch tosaid start position;

b. an electrical circuit for selectively activating each unit of aplurality of units of electrically operated theater equipment inresponse to a signal from said signal producing means;

c. means in said equipment activating circuits for holding said counterat said respective selected time increment during operation of eachselected unit of theater equipment;

d. means in selected equipment activating circuits for starting saidcounter in response to completion of operation of said respectiveselected equipment;

e. means connected to said signal producing means and to each of saidequipment activating circuits for selecting the respective timeincrement for activating each of said units of theater equipment;

f. means associated with said means for selecting the time increment foractivating each of said units of theater for visually displaying signalsrepresenting the time time increment and unit of equipment thenoperating; and

g. means associated with said means for selecting the time increment foractivating each of said units of theater equipment and for activatingthe respective visual display representing the manually activatedequipment.

4. An automatic control system for programming operation of electricallyoperated theater equipment comprising:

a. a counter and means associated therewith for producing a signal ateach of a plurality of spaced time incre-ments, said counter and signalproducing means including an increment stepper switch and power meansfor moving said stepper switch from a start position through each ofsaid spaced time increments to a timed out position and meansselectively operable to reset said stepper switch by retuming saidstepper switch to said start position; an electrical circuit forselectively activating each unit of a plurality of units of electricallyoperated theater equipment in response to a signal from said signalproducing means, said equipment activating circuits each including aplurality of film projector activating circuits, one for each of aplurality of film projectors, each of said film projector acitvatingcircuits having a cueing circuit elecduring operation of each selectedunit of theater equipment;

. means in selected equipment activating circuits for starting saidcounter in response to completion of operation of each of said equipmentactivating circuits for selecting the respective time increment foractivating each of said units of theater equipment;

d. means in said equipment activating circuits for holding tricallyconnected thereto and to said counter, each of said counter at saidrespective selected time increment aid film projectors havi means t dthereon f during operation of each selected unit of theaterequipactivating said respective cueing circuit for restarting said ment,and

counter; e. means in selected equipment activating circuits forstartmeans in said equipment activating circuits for holding 8 saidcounter in response completion OfopefatiOn of said counter at saidrespective selected time increment said respective selected q p 6. Theautomatic control system as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of saidcueing circuit activating means includes:

a. a plurality of rollers mounted on said respective projector andarranged in two spaced apart pairs positioned with a said respectiveselected equipment. and film path between said rollers in each of saidpairs, one means connected to said signal producing means and to zs ugfgg tge zifig zii g tf iil efs ggiil r ggnz g 8 each of said equipmentactivating circuits for selecting b t d th fl 5 th s the respective timeincrement for activating each of said ggizi i g fzjz i for g g r g gg23i units of theater equipment. An automatic comm] System forprogramming Operation ZZIEISIBIC a circuit to said cueing circuit foractivating of electrically operated theater equ'pmem cpmpnsingz 7 Theautomatic control system as set forth in claim 4 a. a counter and meansassociated therewith for producing a whe'reiw slggal at each i i fSpaced i fi a. said means for selecting the time increment foractivating Sal counter an ucmg means u an each of said units of theaterequipment is a matrix having cremem fl Sw'tch an w? means or movmg aplurality of spaced time lines positioned in a plane and a stepperswitch from a start position through each of said plurality of spacedequipment lines positioned in a second spaced time increments to a timedout posit on and means plane substantially parallel with and sppced ftomSaid first selectively operable to reset said stepper switch byretumnamed plane, said time lines and said equipment lines ing saidstepper switch to said start position and to retain 0 being arranged tohave time increments and equipment as said signal producing meansinactive during the return of coordinates; said ste er switch to saidstart osition; b. said matrix has means at each of said coordinates forerpp p I b a a a an electrical circuit for selectively activating eachunit of mitting a connection between the time line and equipa pluralityof units of electrically operated theater equipment line at saidcoordinate; ment in response to a signal from said signal producing c. adiode pin is selectively engageable with each of said means, saidequipment activating circuitseach including n ct on p rmitting meansthereby programming a plurality of film pro ector activating c rcuits,one for p ration of selected equipment inades red sequence; 81"?"" ifFE,f'% 8335; 22:1511?L5iiifiifit$ ifiidlil lieiiiif one for eac o a p urity o i m pro ectors, eac o sai film projector activating circuitshaving a film break cir- 40 filecuvelygcmated y a diode P at theselected cuit electrically connected thereto, each of said film mates;an break circuits having means connected thereto f e. said counterholding means is operatively connected to sensing a film break and forsignaling said respective film f fueing circuits f to Said m f'activating projector to stop in the event of a break in film in saidfilm c rcu ts for interlocking same until one of said interlockedprojector; circuits is act vated. c. means connected to said signalproducing means and to

1. An automatic control system for programming operation of electricallyoperated theater eqUipment comprising: a. a counter and means associatedtherewith for producing a signal at each of a plurality to spaced timeincrements; b. an electrical circuit for selectively activating eachunit of a plurality of units of electrically operated theater equipmentin response to a signal from said signal producing means; c. means insaid equipment activating circuits for holding said counter at saidrespective selected time increment during operation of each selectedunit of theater equipment; d. means in selected equipment activatingcircuits for starting said counter in response to completion ofoperation of said respective selected equipment; e. a matrix having aplurality of spaced time lines positioned in a plane and a plurality ofspaced equipment lines positioned in a second plane substantiallyparallel with and spaced from said first named plane, said time linesand said equipment lines being arranged to have time increments andequipment as coordinates; f. means in said matrix at each of saidcoordinates for permitting a connection between the time line andequipment line at said respective coordinates; and g. means selectivelyengageable with said connection permitting means thereby programmingoperation of selected equipment in a desired sequence.
 2. An automaticcontrol system for programming operation of electrically operatedtheater equipment comprising: a. a counter and means associatedtherewith for producing a signal at each of a plurality of spaced timeincrements, said counter and signal producing means including anincrement stepper switch and power means for moving said stepper switchfrom a start position through each of said spaced time increments to atimed out position and means selectively operable to reset said stepperswitch by returning said stepper switch to said start position and toretain said signal producing means inactive during the return of saidstepper switch to said start position; b. an electrical circuit forselectively activating each unit of a plurality of units of electricallyoperated theater equipment in response to a signal from said signalproducing means, said equipment activating circuits each including aplurality of film projector activating circuits, one for each of aplurality of film projectors, each of said film projector activatingcircuits having a film break circuit electrically connected thereto,each of said film break circuits having means connected thereto forsensing a film break and for signaling said respective film projector tostop in the event of a break in film in said film projector, said filmbreak sensing means including a shaft extending from said respectivefilm projector transverse to a film path therethrough and a leverpivotally mounted adjacent a free end of said shaft and a film rollermounted adjacent one end of said lever for engagement with film in saidrespective film projector and a limit switch electrically connected tothe electrical circuit for activating said respective film projector anda counterweight mounted on said lever and positioned for moving saidlever into engagement with said limit switch when film engaging saidfilm roller breaks whereby said limit switch is engaged to stop saidrespective film projector; c. means connected to said equipmentactivating circuits for selecting the respective time increment foractivating each of said units of theater equipment; d. means in saidequipment activating circuits for holding said counter at saidrespective selected time increment during operation of each selectedunit of theater equipment; and e. means in selected equipment activatingcircuits for starting said counter in response to completion ofoperation of said respective selected equipment.
 3. An automatic controlsystem for programming operation of electrically operated theaterequipment comprising: a. a counter and means associated therewith forproducing a signal at each of a plurality of spaced time inCrements,said counter and signal producing means including an increment stepperswitch and power means for moving said stepper switch from a startposition through each of said spaced time increments to a timed outposition and means selectively operable to reset said stepper switch byreturning said stepper switch to said start position and to retain saidsignal producing means inactive during the return of said stepper switchto said start position; b. an electrical circuit for selectivelyactivating each unit of a plurality of units of electrically operatedtheater equipment in response to a signal from said signal producingmeans; c. means in said equipment activating circuits for holding saidcounter at said respective selected time increment during operation ofeach selected unit of theater equipment; d. means in selected equipmentactivating circuits for starting said counter in response to completionof operation of said respective selected equipment; e. means connectedto said signal producing means and to each of said equipment activatingcircuits for selecting the respective time increment for activating eachof said units of theater equipment; f. means associated with said meansfor selecting the time increment for activating each of said units oftheater for visually displaying signals representing the time timeincrement and unit of equipment then operating; and g. means associatedwith said means for selecting the time increment for activating each ofsaid units of theater equipment and for activating the respective visualdisplay representing the manually activated equipment.
 4. An automaticcontrol system for programming operation of electrically operatedtheater equipment comprising: a. a counter and means associatedtherewith for producing a signal at each of a plurality of spaced timeincre-ments, said counter and signal producing means including anincrement stepper switch and power means for moving said stepper switchfrom a start position through each of said spaced time increments to atimed out position and means selectively operable to reset said stepperswitch by returning said stepper switch to said start position; b. anelectrical circuit for selectively activating each unit of a pluralityof units of electrically operated theater equipment in response to asignal from said signal producing means, said equipment activatingcircuits each including a plurality of film projector activatingcircuits, one for each of a plurality of film projectors, each of saidfilm projector acitvating circuits having a cueing circuit electricallyconnected thereto and to said counter, each of said film projectorshaving means mounted thereon for activating said respective cueingcircuit for restarting said counter; c. means in said equipmentactivating circuits for holding said counter at said respective selectedtime increment during operation of each selected unit of theaterequipment; d. means in selected equipment activating circuits forstarting said counter in response to completion of operation of saidrespective selected equipment; and e. means connected to said signalproducing means and to each of said equipment activating circuits forselecting the respective time increment for activating each of saidunits of theater equipment.
 5. An automatic control system forprogramming operation of electrically operated theater equipmentcomprising: a. a counter and means associated therewith for producing asignal at each of a plurality of spaced time increments, said counterand signal producing means including an increment stepper switch andpower means for moving said stepper switch from a start position througheach of said spaced time increments to a timed out position and meansselectively operable to reset said stepper switch by returning saidstepper switch to said start position and to retain said signalproducing means inactive during the return of said stepper switch tosaid start position; B. an electrical circuit for selectively activatingeach unit of a plurality of units of electrically operated theaterequipment in response to a signal from said signal producing means, saidequipment activating circuits each including a plurality of filmprojector activating circuits, one for each of a plurality of filmprojector activating circuits, one for each of a plurality of filmprojectors, each of said film projector activating circuits having afilm break circuit electrically connected thereto, each of said filmbreak circuits having means connected thereto for sensing a film breakand for signaling said respective film projector to stop in the event ofa break in film in said film projector; c. means connected to saidsignal producing means and to each of said equipment activating circuitsfor selecting the respective time increment for activating each of saidunits of theater equipment; d. means in said equipment activatingcircuits for holding said counter at said respective selected timeincrement during operation of each selected unit of theater equipment,and e. means in selected equipment activating circuits for starting saidcounter in response to completion of operation of said respectiveselected equipment.
 6. The automatic control system as set forth inclaim 4 wherein each of said cueing circuit activating means includes:a. a plurality of rollers mounted on said respective projector andarranged in two spaced apart pairs positioned with a film path betweensaid rollers in each of said pairs, one pair of rollers beingelectrically connected to said cueing circuit and the other pair ofrollers being grounded; and b. means associated with the film movingthrough said respective projector for grounding said rollers to completea circuit to said cueing circuit for activating same.
 7. The automaticcontrol system as set forth in claim 4 wherein: a. said means forselecting the time increment for activating each of said units oftheater equipment is a matrix having a plurality of spaced time linespositioned in a plane and a plurality of spaced equipment linespositioned in a second plane substantially parallel with and spaced fromsaid first named plane, said time lines and said equipment lines beingarranged to have time increments and equipment as coordinates; b. saidmatrix has means at each of said coordinates for permitting a connectionbetween the time line and equipment line at said coordinate; c. a diodepin is selectively engageable with each of said connection permittingmeans thereby programming operation of selected equipment in a desiredsequence; d. one of said equipment lines of said matrix is said counterholding means whereby said counter holding means are selectivelyactivated by a diode pin at the selected coordinates; and e. saidcounter holding means is operatively connected to said cueing circuitsand to said film projector activating circuits for interlocking sameuntil one of said interlocked circuits is activated.